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International Friendly [Preview]: Spain vs Argentina

Marek — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 18:33:39 +0000

Spain entertain Argentina in an eagerly-anticipated friendly at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night. La Roja played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against reigning World Cup champions Germany last week, and another strong performance against Jorge Sampaoli’s side would put them in a good shape ahead of this summer’s global tournament in Russia.

Team News:
The hosts will have to do without the services of David Silva, who has been allowed to return home due to personal reasons. Aside from this, La Roja are pretty much at full strength with Marco Asensio, a strong contender to replace Silva in the starting lineup.
On the contrary, Argentina were without Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi for last week’s 2-0 win over Italy at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The former remains a doubt with a hamstring problem, but Messi is likely to mesmerise the fans with his skills.
Players to watch for:
Diego Costa – Spain: The Atletico Madrid striker only came on as a second-half substitute against Germany. Costa did not have many chances on goal, barring one excellent cross from Marco Asensio, where he nearly made the contact required to beat Marc-Ander Ter Stegen. Costa could start ahead of Rodrigo Moreno upfront in this encounter, and his impressive hold-up play and passing around the box could be key against the 2014 World Cup finalists.
Lionel Messi – Argentina: The 30-year-old’s absence in Manchester would have undoubtedly disappointed many neutrals. Messi has not always sparkled in the blue and white shirt of Argentina, but rest assured, he can turn the country’s fortunes on his day, as exemplified during the must-win qualifier game against Ecuador in October, where he notched a sublime hat-trick. Messi is not entirely fit for the friendly, but he may still get an hour’s run out against La Roja, who are among the prime contenders for the 2018 World Cup.
Prediction:
On paper, Spain have a better equipped side across all departments, and they may edge the encounter, irrespective of Messi’s showing, Spain 2-1 Argentina

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Three things we learned: Germany 1-1 Spain

Marek — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 10:48:44 +0000

Germany and Spain played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in an international friendly on Friday night. Julen Lopetegui’s side started on the front foot with an early goal from Rodrigo Moreno but the reigning World Cup champions levelled the scores before the break with a stunning 25-yard strike from Thomas Muller.
The second period saw opportunities for both nations but the goalkeepers were on guard to restrict any further damage. Despite the game ending in a stalemate, there were plenty of positives for the coaches involved, and Germany and Spain will now focus on their friendlies against Brazil and Argentina respectively next week.
Three Things We Learned:
Spain’s dominance from the off: Spain were not over roared by the occasion of an away game, and they started brilliantly from the off with their tiki-taka style of passing. A delightful pass from Andres Iniesta allowed Rodrigo to open the scoring, and they could have quite easily doubled the scores, had Ter Stegen not intercepted David Silva 10 minutes later. Though Germany equalised, Spain had plenty of chances of their own to convert, but Ter Stegen stood firm between the sticks.
Thomas Muller back to his best: Muller had found himself out of sync during the previous campaign for club and country, but since Jupp Heynckes took in-charge at Bayern, he has looked the player of old. Unlike, many of his teammates, Muller does not possess the trickery and finesse to beat opponents, but he has the special talent of being in the right place to have a shot on goal. Muller, who was Germany’s captain in the second-half, found the scoresheet with a brilliant shot from outside the box, which beat David de Gea with the finest of margins.
Germany not completely favourites: Germany were quite rightfully the strongest outfit during the previous World Cup where they ousted hosts Brazil by a 7-1 scoreline during the semi-finals. However, with the recent transition, the reigning champions may not have a cruise through the park. Spain’s experienced player in David Silva and Andres Iniesta could have nearly split their defence apart on the night, and Joachim Loew needs to find a cohesion in the backline ahead of the global tournament in Russia.

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Costa and Alcantara start, 4-3-2-1: Predicted Spain lineup to face Germany

Marek — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 23:36:04 +0000

Julen Lopetegui’s Spain will be facing off against reigning champions Germany in one of this week’s highly-anticipated international friendlies. La Roja take on the Joachim Loew’s men in Dusseldorf on Friday night before hosting Argentina at the Wanda Metropolitano four days later.
Squad Update:
One of the surprise omissions from the squad was Alvaro Morata, who has struggled with injuries and a loss of form with Chelsea. Aside from this, senior players in the form of Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Juan Mata have not been considered whilst Diego Costa makes a much-anticipated return to the fold after proving his form and fitness at Atletico Madrid. Sergio Busquets is a noticeable absentee following a toe injury.
Formation: 4-3-2-1
Lineup:
David de Gea is widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world. He is certain to start between the sticks for the Friday night friendly. At right-back, young Alvaro Odriozola is a strong candidate to feature after his promising form for Real Sociedad through the current season. He should earn his third international outing. Likewise, Jordi Alba has been the undisputed choice for the left-back position, and he should probably get the nod over Marcos Alonso, who will be awaiting his maiden cap for La Roja. In central defence, Gerard Pique should earn his starting spot after impressing for Barcelona this term. The Catalan is likely to be partnered with skipper Sergio Ramos, who has been consistent for the national team, irrespective of his league struggles with Real Madrid.
In the absence of Busquets, Villareal’s Rodri has been drafted into the Spain squad, and he could potentially make his debut in the holding midfield role against a star-studded German squad. Ahead of him, we are fancying Thiago Alcantara to start, and he is likely to be familiar with a number of German players, who happen to be his teammates at Bayern Munich. The third midfield slot could possibly be filled by Andres Iniesta, who offers the much-needed guidance to a young Spanish side. Further forward, we are backing Marco Asensio and David Silva to retain their regular roles under Lopetegui, and they are likely to play in an attacking midfield parnership behind the lone striker. Diego Costa has earned his place in the Spain squad after contributing six goals and four assists since his Atleti return, and he should lead the line.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-2-1): David de Gea; Alvaro Odriozola, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba; Rodri, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta; David Silva, Marco Asensio; Diego Costa

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International Friendly [Preview]: Germany vs Spain

Marek — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 19:02:42 +0000

Germany are at the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf for Friday night’s friendly meeting against Spain. Joachim Loew’s side are being widely fancied to preserve their champions crown at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and the upcoming game against La Roja should give a fair reflection of their capabilities ahead of the showpiece tournament.
Unlike Germany, Spain underperformed at the previous edition of the World Cup in Brazil, where they were surprisingly ousted in the group stage. They have since been eliminated in the last 16 stage of Euro 2016, and this has pushed the need for a midfield transition with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Juan Mata being axed from the squad.
Players to watch for:
Mesut Ozil – Germany: The Arsenal midfielder has the trend of putting in sparkling performances for the national side, where he is surrounded by the likes of Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane, who are able to judge his range of passing. Ozil often finds it difficult against physically-built teams, but against La Roja, he has a better chance of getting more of the ball, which in turn, brings the best out of him. Despite his critics at club level, Ozil’s commitment with Germany has never doubted, and he does not mind putting in a defensive challenge or two.
Diego Costa – Spain: Costa’s chances of making the World Cup were at risk earlier in the season, where he was on an indefinite strike at Chelsea. Since then, the Spain international has sealed his return to Atletico Madrid, where he has commanded a regular spot alongside Antoine Griezmann. Costa has managed to score just once in the last five appearances for Atleti, but he is still a solid option for La Roja up front owing to his brilliant link-up play and physicality in the box. Costa has been picked ahead of Morata in the squad, and the striker truly deserves his position, considering the latter failed to score in 13-straight games prior to last weekend.
Prediction:
An international friendly is always difficult to predict, but the World Cup champions should have the edge with the home advantage up on offer, Germany 2-1 Spain. We are backing Ozil to contribute an assist and Costa to score on his Spain comeback.

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